Nigeria can’t afford a weak opposition – Josephine Anenih
The pioneer women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyom Josephine Anenih, has said the party’s duty is not to itself but to Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians can’t afford a weak opposition. In a statement at the weekend, she said, “A country facing hardship, insecurity, and rising despair cannot afford a weak or confused […]
The pioneer women leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyom Josephine Anenih, has said the party’s duty is not to itself but to Nigeria, stressing that Nigerians can’t afford a weak opposition.
In a statement at the weekend, she said, “A country facing hardship, insecurity, and rising despair cannot afford a weak or confused opposition. The PDP must once again become the party that offers hope, clarity, and responsible leadership. Nigeria deserves nothing less.”
On the party’s national convention held in Ibadan at the weekend, she said electing a new National Executive Committee would not by itself resolve “the deep fractures, suspicion, and structural weaknesses that brought us here.”
According to her, the challenges before the PDP require humility, courage and a willingness to place the party and the nation above personal ambition.
- Stakeholders upbeat as NUPRC prepares for 2025 oil blocks’ allocation process
- Livelihood threatened as erosion ravages FCT community
“If we fail to confront our shortcomings, the PDP will become a relic of history, a cautionary tale of how complacency and pride destroyed what was once Africa’s largest political party, “she said
She noted that in recent years, the PDP had been weakened not only by external forces but by failures within, and appealed to all contending factions to sheath their swords, saying “no battle against fellow party members strengthens the PDP.
“Our National Working Committee, our Board of Trustees, our governors, and other senior leaders allowed factionalism, ego, indiscipline, and internal sabotage to undermine the party.
At a time when Nigerians needed a strong opposition to hold the government to account and to present a clear and credible alternative, we did not rise to our responsibility. We must accept this truth because only truth can rebuild trust.
“Yet even as leaders faltered, our members did not. The real strength of the PDP has always been found in the ordinary men and women across this country who remained loyal despite the turmoil at the top. They endured frustration and disappointment yet refused to abandon the party. They are the reason the PDP still stands.
“One of our most serious failures has been the refusal to enforce the rules of the party. For too long impunity has gone unpunished and misconduct has had no consequences. A political party cannot survive if its constitution is treated as optional. Renewal requires accountability. Those who undermine the party must face penalties and those who uphold its values must be supported and encouraged,” she stated.